Excitation functions of proton-induced reactions on natFe and enriched 57Fe with particular reference to the production of 57Co

Excitation functions of the reactions Fe-nat(p,xn)Co-55,Co-56,Co-57,Co-58, Fe-nat(p,x)Cr-51, Fe-nat( p,x)Mn-54, Fe-57(p,n)Co-57 and Fe-57( p,alpha)Mn-54 were measured from their respective thresholds up to 18.5 MeV, with particular emphasis on data for the production of the radionuclide Co-57 (T-1/2 = 271.8 d). The conventional stacked-foil technique was used, and the samples for irradiation were prepared by an electroplating or sedimentation process. The measured excitation curves were compared with the data available in the literature as well as with results of nuclear model calculations. From the experimental data, the theoretical yields of the investigated radionuclides were calculated as a function of the proton energy. Over the energy range E-p = 15 -> 5 MeV the calculated yield of Co-57 from the Fe-57(p,n)Co-57 process amounts to 1.2 MBq/mu A h and from the Fe-nat(p,xn)Co-57 reaction to 0.025 MBq/mu A h. The radionuclidic impurity levels are discussed. Use of highly enriched Fe-57 as target material would lead to formation of high-purity Co-57. (C) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.